Helping Heroes Heal: New Veterans Group in Live Oak

Lonesome Warrior Veterans during September 25 meeting. Frank Lowery is the 4th from the left and Duncan Pitts is 5th from left. -Photo by Nav Pienaar

By Tami Stevenson

A new veterans group has formed in Live Oak called Lonesome Warrior Veterans Group launched on September 25, 2025. Members will meet regularly on the fourth Tuesday of each month to connect, support one another and share in fellowship. The group is led by Duncan Pitts, a Vietnam Combat Veteran.

     They are dedicated to helping veterans cope with PTSD, adjust to civilian life, and navigate everyday challenges.

     Meetings will be held monthly on the fourth Tuesday at .50 Cal Coffee & Desserts, located at 208 W Howard Street in Live Oak from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

     Organizer Duncan Pitts, an Army Combat Veteran that served during the Vietnam war from 1966-1968, told the Suwannee Valley Times that he doesn’t have much to say about his military career.      

     “In 1966 Uncle Sam reached out and touched me,” said Pitts. He volunteered to enlist so he could go to school, but in 1967 he said he got shipped over to Vietnam and was in combat, boots on the ground, and came home in December of 1968, after Christmas, he couldn’t get home before then.

     Pitts said earlier this year he visited .50 Cal Coffee & Desserts and got talking with owner Felix Menjivar, also a veteran, about how they both wanted to help other vets and ultimately Lonesome Warrior Veterans Group was born.

     Frank Lowery, another organizer of the group, is a Navy Combat Veteran who served on nuclear submarines from 1974-1977.

     During a phone interview, Lowery said the longest he spent in the sub was for a special ops mission that lasted 90 days. He said ultimately, the only thing that could limit their stay underwater was food.

     Lonesome Warrior Veterans Group’s next meeting is October 28. All veterans are welcome to join.

     In partnership with .50 Cal Coffee & Desserts, the group will offer a free donut and cup of coffee to all veterans on Veterans Day, November 11.

     For more information, visit the Lonesome Warrior Veterans page at www.thefellowshipofmen.com or contact Duncan Pitts (407) 242-8580 or Frank Lowery (386) 688-0514.